Roman Building Techniques

Writing from the view of a building technologist as well as and archaeologist, Tony Rook takes a practical approach in this introductory guide to the building types, techniques and methodology of the Romans. After a survey of the main building types and their features, military, public and private, he analyses Roman building technology from the bottom up, starting with the foundations, and covering materials such as masonry, brick, mud and wood, as well as architectural features such as walls, roofs, pipes, drains and heating. Final chapters cover grander and more monumental techniques such as arches and domes. The book is illustrated throughout with photographs of surviving structures, plans and reconstructions.